Ute Football Team To Play Host To UNLV Saturday.

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Oct. 30, 2000

QUICKLY

Utah (2-6, 1-3 MWC) hosts UNLV (4-4, 2-2 MWC) Saturday in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Game time is 1 p.m. ... Saturday's game marks Utah's first afternoon kickoff of the year in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... One streak will end on Saturday: Utah is 0-4 at home this year and UNLV is 0-4 on the road ... With three games remaining on its schedule, Utah is destined for its first losing season since 1990 ... The Utah-UNLV game will be televised on ESPN+Plus, shown locally on KJZZ ... The Utah-UNM game can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and over the Internet (www.UtahUtes.com).

BREAKING NEWS

Redshirt freshman quarterback Lance Rice saw the first action of his playing career against UNM last week, replacing starter Darnell Arceneaux in the second quarter. Rice is expected to get his first start against UNLV this Saturday ... Sophomore D'Shaun Crockett, Utah's starting running back in the first two games of the season, has moved to the defense. Crockett began practice as a defensive back the week of the New Mexico game. Utah has had recent success with running backs turned DBs. Former Ute Teneil Ethridge (1995-99) came to Utah as a running back, switched to the defense as a sophomore, and developed into a part-time starter at corner.

HOME IMPROVEMENT?

Utah has struggled at home this year, going 0-4 on the Rice-Eccles Stadium grass. Conversely, the Utes are 2-2on the road. In the last three years, Utah is just 8-7 in Rice-Eccles Stadium, compared to 9-5 on the road (10-5 including neutral site victories).

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. All practices will be held at the McCarthey Practice Fields, with the possible exception of Thursday's, which could be held in the stadium. Times could change. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

LAST WEEK

Despite another outstanding defensive effort, Utah lost to New Mexico for the first time in six years, 10-3 on a rainy day in Albuquerque. New Mexico scored on its second drive of the game, but wouldn't put up any more points until a fourth-quarter field goal. The Lobos, who totaled 97 yards in the first quarter, could only muster 103 total yards the rest of the way. Offensively, Utah again struggled to convert in the red zone. Redshirt freshman Lance Rice got his debut at quarterback, replacing starter Darnell Arceneaux early in the second quarter. Rice did a nice job moving the team and his line showed 13 completions (29 attempts) for 185 yards (1 interception). Utah managed just 60 rushing yards against a good UNM defense, 43 by Adam Tate. Utah's lone score was a 27-yard field goal by Ryan Kaneshiro in the third quarter.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 73-52 in his 11 years at the helm of the Ute program. He is one of just two coaches to win at least 60 football games at Utah. Utah had seven straight winning seasons under McBride from 1993-99. His lone losing season, prior to this year, was his first (1990). McBride's teams have averaged seven wins per year and have gone to five bowl games (2-3). His bowl wins were against Arizona, in the 1994 Freedom Bowl, and Fresno State, in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl. He has won a share of two conference championships (1995 Western Athletic Conference, 1999 Mountain West Conference). Before accepting Utah's head coaching position in 1990, McBride served two previous stints on the Hill. He was Utah's offensive line coach from 1985-86 and its offensive coordinator from 1977-82. McBride is 1-0 against UNLV. He is 1-1 against UNLV coach John Robinson, winning last year but losing to Robinson's USC Trojans in the 1993 Freedom Bowl.

SERIES SHORTS

Utah leads 4-1 ... Last year was the first time UNLV and Utah played as conference foes (Utah won 52-14 in Las Vegas) ... Prior to that, these teams had not played since 1982 ... Utah leads 2-0 in Salt Lake City ... The last time they met in Salt Lake was in 1982 ... UNLV's only win was in the 1979 season opener.

GRIDBITS

Utah's first-ever Mountain West Conference game was against UNLV last year in Las Vegas, a game Utah won 52-14. ... Utah must win at least two of its last three games to avoid its worst season ever under McBride. The Utes went 4-7 in 1990, Mac's first year at the helm ... Utah is 239-127-10 (.660) in all-time home games and 8-7 in its third year in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah's all-time record is 520-389-28 (.570).

UTE INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Player               Category                  MWC  NCAASteve Smith, WR/R   All-Purpose Yards     1          14Adam Tate, RB          Rushing YPG            1          49Steve Smith, WR       Receiving YPG          2         14Andre Dyson, DB      Interceptions               3         n/aPatrick Dyson, DB     Interceptions               3        n/aSteve Smith, WR/R    Kickoff Return Avg.  3        n/a

SMITH NOTES

Wide receiver Steve Smith (5-8, 182, Sr.) ...

> Leads Utes in receiving yards (557) and yards per game (79.6 ypg).

> Averaging team-best 19.9 yards per reception.

> Second on team in receptions (28).

> Leads league (14th nationally) in all-purpose yards per game (169.0).

> Utah's career leader in punt returns for a touchdown (4, ties the record).

> Had a 46-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Cal on September 9.

> Has had 2 punt returns for touchdowns called back due to penalties this year (vs. California and WSU).

> Second all-time at Utah in career punt return yards (779). School record is held by LaVon Edwards (892, 1988-91).

> 63 career punt returns ranks third all-time at Utah. Needs 7 to move into tie for second (70, Reggie Wilson). School record is 112 (LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> Utah's leading receiver in 4 games (143 vs. SDSU, 95 vs. Air Force, 62 vs. CSU, 70 vs. New Mexico).

> Career best 143 yards vs. San Diego State came on just 2 catches (71.5 avg.).

> 200 all-purpose yards vs. California.

> 199 all-purpose yards vs. San Diego State.

> Leads 2000 Utes in punt returns (34-284-1 TD) and kickoff returns (16-328, 20.5 avg.).

> Voted preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

> As a junior last year, made all-conference team as both receiver (second team) and specialist (first team).

CLIFF'S EDGE

Wide receiver Cliff Russell (5-11, 180, Jr.) broke a bone in his right arm (non-displaced fracture) in the first quarter of Utah's October 21 game vs. CSU and is expected to miss another 2-3 weeks. Russell did not play last week at New Mexico. Russell, the fastest Ute in 20 years (runs a 4.25 40), was Utah's leading receiver prior to the accident. He has a team-best 35 receptions, despite not playing last week and not catching a pass in one quarter against CSU. His 467 receiving yards is second best on team. Russell is averaging 66.7 ypg and 13.3 yards per catch. He has a team-best three touchdown catches. His best games this year came against Arizona (10 receptions for 141 yards) and Washington State (8 receptions for 131 yards and 2 TDs). His career-best game was last year against Wyoming (6 catches for 155 yards and 1 TD).

THEN THERE WERE THREE

Redshirt freshman Lance Rice, who made his first collegiate appearance at quarterback vs. New Mexico on October 28, is the third QB to call the signals for the Utes this year. Senior T.D. Croshaw started the first two games before giving way to senior Darnell Arceneaux, who started the next six. Rice replaced Arceneaux early in the second quarter of game eight. Croshaw is 0-2 as the starter this year and Arceneaux is 2-4 (13-6 in career starts). Rice is expected to get his first start this Saturday.

THROWING RICE

Freshman QB Lance Rice (6-1, 193), a Salt Lake City native (Olympus High), is the grandson of Bob Rice, whose name is on Rice-Eccles Stadium. Lance Rice signed with Utah back in 1996 before leaving for an LDS church mission to South America. He spent last year as a redshirt. Rice was bumped up to No. 2 on the depth chart the week prior to the UNM game and is scheduled to start this week against UNLV. In his debut appearance, Rice moved the ball well for a guy who hadn't taken a snap under game conditions in four years. He completed 13 of 29 pass attempts for 185 yards. He was picked once on a throw into the end zone.

GREAT TATE

First-year Ute running back Adam Tate (6-1, 230, Jr.) ...

> Mountain West Conference's leading rusher averages 77.5 ypg (49th in the nation).

> Had three straight 100-yard games (Air Force, Utah State, San Diego State), tying him for third in the school record books.

> Leads the Utes in rushes (116), net yards (465), yards per carry (4.0), touchdowns (4) and scoring (24).

> Did not play in the first two games.

> Started against Air Force, and in just over a half, rushed for 112 yards.

> Career-best 133 yards and 3 TDs vs. Utah State.

> Missed Utah's preseason camp while awaiting academic clearance.

HOLY KAUTAI

Linebacker Kautai Olevao (6-2, 267, Sr.)...

> 40 total tackles

> 5 tackles for loss (26 yards).

> 1 sack (12 yards).

> 7 tackles (1 for loss) against Washington State.

> 2 tackles for loss (19 yards) and 1 sack (12 yards) against Arizona.

> Preseason first-team all-conference selection.

> First-team all-conference in 1998 and `99.

> Has started since his freshman year.

DYSON'S CORNER

Preseason all-conference cornerback Andre Dyson (5-10, 175, Sr) ...

> 2 career TDs off interceptions is second most in school history. The school record is 3, held by several people.

> 36 career pass breakups is second most all-time at Utah (record is 42 by Sean Knox, 1987-90 and LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> Has 2 TDs this year (1 interception return and 1 fumble return).

> 2 interceptions is tied for third in the MWC.

> 45 total tackles.

> 4 tackles for loss (9 yards).

> Leads Utes with 8 passes defended (6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions)

> Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9) returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown vs. California and had 11 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

> Made the Jim Thorpe Watch List.

CHASIN' JASON

Freshman Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250) ...

> Is a leading candidate for MWC Freshman of the Year honors.

> True freshman has started all 8 games at open end.

> Utah's tackle leader all season long has 57 total tackles (7.1 tpg).

> Team leader in tackles for loss with 15 (52 yards).

> Second on team in sacks with 7 (33 yards).

> 8 quarterback hurries is tied for first on team.

> 3 pass breakups.

> Career game against Cal (9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 hurries).

> 8 tackles, 2 for loss (8 yards), 1 pass breakup and 1 hurry vs. WSU.

> 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (12 yards), 1 sack (10 yards) and 1 hurry vs. CSU.

> 7 tackles, 3 for loss (11 yards), 1 sack (8 yards) and 1 hurry vs. New Mexico.

OFFENSIVE INFO

> With starter Cliff Russell on the disabled list (broken arm), Utah has gone to a three wide receiver rotation. Steve Smith and Chris Christensen are the starters at X and Z, respectively, and Phillippe Wells is the third man in. If the Utes need a fourth receiver, it will be Johnny Lundy.

> Tevita Vakalahi, who began the year as a defensive lineman, switched lines early in the season. He saw his first action against UNM, playing at right guard when Michael Richardson moved to center in place of Dustin McQuivey. McQuivey exited after spraining his knee.

> Darnell Arceneaux is Utah's total offense leader (187.8 ypg). Arceneaux is also Utah's leading passer (86-155, 56%) for 1,260 yards and its second-leading rusher (71 rushers, 242 yards, 2 TDs).

UTAH ON OFFENSE

Category     Avg.   MWC   NCAARushing Offense   127.2   5    75Passing Offense   211.0   4    60Total Offense     338.2   5    79Scoring Offense   16.4    7    97

DEFENSIVE DATA

> Utah is the MWC's best defensive team. The Utes are No. 1 in the league in two defensive categories (passing defense and total defense) and are ranked in the top three in two others (No. 2 pass efficiency defense, No. 3 scoring defense).

> Utah's best national rankings come in pass defense (No. 4) and total defense (No. 11).

> Utah's defense has accounted directly for 18 points. Brothers Andre and Patrick Dyson have each returned an interception for a touchdown (Andre vs. Cal and Patrick vs. CSU) and Andre also returned a fumble for a score (vs. Washington State).

> Ute senior safeties Brandon Dart, Kimball Christianson and Jason Potter make the decision each game of who will start at free and strong safety. Each player in the trio plays an equal amount of time.

> Starting right cornerback Patrick Dyson missed last week's game with a concussion suffered in practice. He is expected to play this week.

> Sophomore lineman Garrett Smith leads Utah with 9 sacks (37 yards) and is second on the team in tackles for loss with 11 (38 yards). Smith leads Utah in quarterback hurries (9).

> Senior linebacker Wes Tufaga is Utah's second leading tackler with 56.

UTAH ON DEFENSE

Category             Avg.   MWC    NCAARushing Defense           135.5  5  47Passing Defense           151.6  1  4Pass Efficiency Defense   110.5  2  39Total Defense             287.1  1  11Scoring Defense           19.6   3      26

SPECIAL TEAMS

> Junior Ryan Kaneshiro took over Utah's place-kicking chores in game five, a position he last held as a freshman in 1998. For the season, he is 2-4 in field goals and 10-10 in extra points. His long field goal is 27 yards (vs. UNM).

> Junior kicker Golden Whetman, who was Utah's place-kicker for the first four games, now handles kickoffs, long field goals and punts. He has made 1-10 field goals. His only made field goal was a 46-yarder against Arizona.

> Whetman has 14 touchbacks on 29 kickoffs.

> Whetman has 47 punts for 1,795 yards (38.2 yards per punt) with a long of 54. He has laid 14 punts inside the 20.

> Steve Smith is Utah's leading return man. He has 34 punt returns for 284 yards (8.4 ypr) and 1 TD, and 16 kickoff returns for 328 yards (20.5 ypr).

> Patrick Dyson has 9 kickoff returns for 258 yards (28.7) and 1 98-yard TD. He does not have enough returns to qualify for the league or NCAA rankings.

> Utah's special teams tackle leader is Marcus Jones (8).

INJURY REPORT

Player, Pos.        Injury/Status/GMStan Moleni, LB          Achille's (surgery)/out for season/8Sam White, OL            knee (surgery)/out for season/7Cliff Russell, WR        arm (broken ulna)/out/1Ben Allison, TE           chest wound (gun shot)/questionable/8Steve McKane, OL      knee/as tolerates/6Dustin McQuivey, OL  knee (sprain)/probable/0Jason Kaufusi, DE        ankle (sprain)/probable/0

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah Offense Times at or inside 20: 22 Touchdowns: 9 Field Goals: 2 Scoring percentage: 50% TD percentage: 41% Utah Defense Times opponent at or inside 20: 19 Touchdowns: 8 Field Goals: 6 Scoring percentage: 74% TD percentage: 42%

UNLV PREVIEW

4-4 (2-2 MWC) ... 7 wins in the last two years is better than in the previous four years combined (6-39 from 1995-98) ... 0-4 on the road ... Head Coach John Robinson is 7-12 in his second year at UNLV. He is college football's ninth-winningest active coach with a 111-47-4 overall record, which includes 12 years at Southern Cal ... Robinson is 1-1 against Utah (0-1 as Rebel coach).

UNLV BY THE NUMBERS

Category            Avg.    MWC  NCAARushing Offense          233.5   2    12Passing Offense          160.5   7    94Total Offense            394.0   2    40Scoring Offense          30.0    2    33Rushing Defense          153.9   6    63Passing Defense          202.8   4    41Pass Efficiency Defense  117.4   3    58Total Defense            356.6   6    52Scoring Defense          19.1    2    26

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

Utah won its inaugural Mountain West Conference game 52-14 in Las Vegas. Mike Anderson rushed for 116 yards and a school-record tying four touchdowns. Steve Smith had 110 yards and 1 TD and the Utes rolled up 475 total yards. Conversely, UNLV managed just 153 yards, most of those against Utah's second string. Utah was never threatened, leading 24-7 at the half and putting it away with a 21-0 third quarter.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"Our defense played a great game again but we had another sub-par performance from the offense, particularly on third downs. Some way, somehow, we have to get this offense in sync. Sooner or later, the defense isn't going to be able to hold up to all the shots it's taking. Now we have to keep our heads up. A winning season is out, a bowl game is out. I can't believe it. This is the worst I've felt in my career as a coach."

OH BROTHER

Utah has two sets of brothers starting on this year's team. Junior Doug Kaufusi and freshman Jason Kaufusi are starting on the offensive and defensive lines, respectively. Seniors Andre and Patrick Dyson both start in Utah's defensive backfield. Andre and Patrick are the younger brothers of former Ute and current Tennessee Titan starting wide receiver Kevin Dyson. Another brother pair also plays, although doesn't start for Utah: twins Josh and Jeremy Lyman.

SEVENTH TIME AROUND

Senior safety Brandon Dart is in his seventh year at Utah. He was granted a rare two-year extension to his NCAA career prior to last season, which was ended prematurely due to knee surgery. The repeat senior has had three season-ending knee surgeries, one season-ending foot injury and one season-ending back injury since coming to Utah. His injury time line: 1994, back injury, September 1995, knee surgery (lateral collateral ligament), 1996, recurring left hamstring strain, August 1997, first degree concussion and surgery for torn ACL (left knee), August 1998, foot sublexation, September 1999, right hamstring strain, October 1999 surgery for torn ACL (right knee).

UTES LEAD PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAM

At the Mountain West Conference Football Preview, held August 1 in Las Vegas, Ute senior receiver/returner Steve Smith was named the preseason MWC Player of the Year. He was also a preseason first-team wide receiver and kick returner. Joining Smith on the preseason all-MWC first team were: junior offensive lineman Doug Kaufusi, senior offensive lineman Sam White, senior linebacker Kautai Olevao and senior defensive back Andre Dyson. Utah had more first-team picks (six) than any other team.

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